Chinese electric car producer BYD, which is partly backed by U.S. investment titan Warren Buffett, said its net profit plunged more than 94 percent year-on-year in 2012, hit by slowing growth in the country.

Foreign telecom companies are keen to join China's fourth generation (4G) mobile network deployment with the country looking likely to issue the relevant licenses as early as this year.

Shares in Taiwan ended lower Friday in reflection of a falling Wall Street overnight amid lingering concerns over the financial situation in Cyprus, dealers said.

Growth in China's vast manufacturing sector picked up in March after a holiday dip, a preliminary survey of factory managers showed on Thursday, pointing towards solid but not spectacular first-quarter growth in the world's second-largest economy.

Chinese automaker Geely said Wednesday its 2012 net profit jumped 32 percent, helped by recovering domestic sales and strong growth in exports.

China is pouring massive amounts of money and resources into cyber attacks aimed at stealing business secrets, security researchers told a congressional panel on Tuesday.

Global personal computer shipments slowed in February amid sluggish demand from the Chinese market, said International Data Corp., a United States-based industry consultancy.

Chinese investment overseas in January and February soared 147 percent year-on-year to US$18.39 billion, official data showed Tuesday — more than foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country itself.

The number of dead pigs found in a Shanghai river that provides drinking water to the Chinese financial hub has risen to 8,354, after local authorities pulled 809 more pigs out of the river on Friday.

Taiwan's Central Bank confirmed yesterday it is in talks with China to negotiate a currency-swap agreement as Taiwan pushes to become an offshore center for yuan trading.